“It’s been a real affirmation of the project’s importance,” he added.
About Time is currently volunteer-run and is funded by donations and subscriptions. The pair hope to one day fully staff the paper with people who have experience in the prison system and allow advertising from law firms.
Former prisoner Damien Linnane said what he craved most during his two-year sentence was a way to stay motivated.
“Having nothing to do was affecting my mental health,” he said, adding having an outlet to share writing and art, and receive feedback, was incredibly important for prisoners. He was sentenced in NSW in 2015 for “vigilante crimes”.
He’s also the chair of Paper Unchained, an art and literary magazine posted free to incarcerated people and is completing a PhD in prison magazine and information circulation.
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Linnane said prison newspapers, magazines and newsletters had a turbulent history in Australia, with dozens of publications – some produced within prisons – circulating across the past century.
“Some publications were cut because they became too outspoken and critical of prisons,” he said.
A Corrective Services NSW spokesperson said the paper was a “welcome” addition and one of prison four news media outlets available.
“Corrective Services NSW encourages inmates to stay informed about news and issues,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Tasmania Prison Service said it supports prisoners having access to information which supports their time in prison and in helping with their transition to release.
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